Tarot of the Future

I have said before that right now we are either in or entering into a Golden Age of Tarot. Never before in history has Tarot been so exposed. Exposed, in that Tarot is no longer (to a large extent in western culture) a taboo. The grip of horror and fear around Tarot is loosening. Curiosity and inquiring are increasing.

We can thank the many prolific writers and teachers who have over the last few decades have laid the foundations for the Tarot world we have today. Along with the hard work of the notable icons in our world, the internet has been I think the most influential part in the surge in Tarot interest. Social Media in the recent years has taken Tarot to another level. A level that is global and personal at the same time.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Periscope, Pinterest, Tumblr and others have made Tarot relevant to a larger audience. Tarot is finding its way to new people, which in the past may not have had the chance to explore. As of today, The Tarot Professionals Facebook group has 16,805 members. An astonishing number and evidence of the reach the internet can have.

What will Tarot look like in the future? What is the fate of the Tarot? What is my wish for us all? I could say “I have a dream” lol, but let's say I have the hope, hope that Tarot will continue to grow and prosper. I hope to see Tarot more mainstream and a common cultural phenomenon. I hope that children will one day grow up with a Tarot deck by their side, learning it like they would second language. I hope to see one day large numbers of people sipping pumpkin spice lattes as they shuffle a card of the day at Starbucks, and no one would bat an eye.

In this future world, the Tarot would be taught in secular environments, in schools and colleges as elective courses. Tarot can be approached from different perspectives, combining the sciences and humanities. When I turn the TV, daytime television shows will have guest tarot personalities on to interview them on their works (books, decks and more) just as they do with anyone else.

It is hard to image how Tarot will be used in the future. In what medium will Tarot be transmitted? Will physical decks remain or replaced? Will they be enhanced with the use of technology? Will the images changes over the next few hundred years? This is assuming we are still alive after President Trump's initiation of World War 3, for mocking the appearances of a world leader's wife. Will new things be added? How will definitions change? What new usages will develop? These are some things to think about. It is hard to answer.

Why do I hope for a world of mainstream Tarot? This would put us out of business one would could argue. Well, professionals will always be needed. You can cut your own lawn, but not everyone wants to, so too with Tarot. The bigger picture is that, Tarot in my views can inform the individual of many truths. It can guide and inform the individual in many ways. I want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the life changing power Tarot can offer.

How do we get to this goal, or close to it? Simply, we keep working, promoting Tarot and showing people just how “normal” (some of us a crazy, but I love it) we are and that Tarot is not something to be afraid of. Above all, we need to be united together (without losing our self to the collective), it makes us stronger as our collective voices can have power. I also think the more we can bridge Tarot with other disciples, we can expose Tarot to new communities and vice versa. Tarot and Psychology is one avenue which is being explored, let us not stop there. Make more connections, open more roads for Tarot to travel down and one day we may see Tarot in places we never thought could be.